A Perspective on the Benefits, Costs, and Risks of Immunization

Almost all vaccines currently recommended in the United States provide substantial net benefits to society, if used appropriately and effectively. We have not implemented some of our policies for vaccine use effectively, and are not reaping all the benefits. We need more information on the costs of administering vaccines. Benefit-risk and benefit-cost equations, seen from the perspective of individuals, may differ considerably from the equations seen from the perspective of society. Mandatory immunization makes individuals assume risks that might otherwise be avoided. Development of a fair compensation mechanism deserves the highest priority